***Vu’s new book, Reimagining Nonprofits and Philanthropy: Unlocking the Full Potential of a Vital and Complex Sector, comes out October 14th. Pre-order your copy***
Hi everyone, I am on a plane bound for Vietnam from Tokyo. A couple of announcements before we get started:
I’m taking my yearly summer break from this blog, so this will be the last post for a while. I’ll be back with a new post on August 19th.
Also, I’m switching to another platform [not sure which one, after hearing from some of you about how problematic Substack is] when I get back. WordPress has served its purpose, but it’s gotten increasingly frustrating to use, including the several months when it didn’t send out notices of new posts to anyone. Substack hopefully will take care of some of these problems. The old posts will remain here so you can access them anytime. New ones will be published on the new platform. If you subscribed by email, you’ll automatically be transferred over; feel free to unsubscribe later.
I’m still keeping everything free on the new platforms instead of limiting some content to paid subscribers. But thank you in advance to paid subscribers, both on Substack and on Patreon. Your support each month allows me financial security to speak my mind freely without worrying about being canceled and not being able to pay the bills.
***
The last few days in Tokyo have been very fulfilling and exactly what I needed. I don’t want to romanticize Japan too much, as I know it has its share of challenges, but it’s just been nice to be in a society where the sense of responsibly to the collective community is so strong. People care for one another and for the environment. On the trains and everywhere there are constant reminders to be thoughtful about children, older adults, and disabled people. Traveling around with two relatively young kids is always challenging, but I don’t remember a time when I’ve felt this relaxed about their safety. It is such a contrast to the US, where each morning I send them off to school and pray there’s no mass shooting.
While here though, I couldn’t help but follow the news back home. The horrifying Supreme Court decisions, such as to limit the courts’ power to block the president’s destructive policies. The upcoming passage of the budget that will destroy safety nets for millions of the most vulnerable people while further enriching billionaires. It seems our work as a sector is cut out for us. I know many of us wish for organizations and movements to be obsolete, that we could “work ourselves out of a job.” That is a long-term vision we must hold on to.
And at the same time, our sector is more relevant than ever. Which means we need to figure out how to sustain ourselves. The last few months have been draining. The battles ahead are going to be difficult, and I see so many of my colleagues totally exhausted mentally and physically. Our sector has always carried more than its fair share–but now it feels like we’re holding everything. Here are a few self-care reminders I find grounding as I also prepare myself for what’s coming:
Use your vacation days: When the world feels like it’s on fire, it may seem indulgent to take time off. But it’s vital we take turns doing it. Taking time off allows us to recharge, build up energy, and clear our minds to be at our most effective.
Limit your news consumption: It’s been hard to avoid doomscrolling and reading about the myriad horrifying dumpster fire of cruelty and chaos Cheeto and his minions are unleashing. But allow yourself just enough to stay informed, but not enough to ruminate and fall into despair, as that helps no one.
Don’t waste time arguing with trolls: The rise to power of the worst of humanity has emboldened bullies and bigots even further. I’ve fallen into the traps of trying to argue with them about various things. Don’t do that; they want to wear you down. Block them and move on. Save your energy for people who engage in good faith.
Look for art, joy, and humor wherever you can: Watch your favorite shows, go to see a play, visit an art gallery. Being able to see what’s beautiful, joyful, and hilarious in our world is essential for keeping up our spirits. Make space for it and try not to feel guilty when you find yourself having a good time.
Hang out with people you care about, build community: I’ve been having more lunches with colleagues or going on walks with them to catch up. Sometimes I even call them on the phone! Fascism works to destroy our relationships with one another, so let’s be extra intentional about maintain and building connections.
Get over imposter syndrome: I still see so many colleagues mired in doubt about their own abilities and whether they’re worthy of certain jobs, grants, and so on. Just a reminder that you are by far more qualified than every single person in the executive branch of US government right now, including the most corrupt and unqualified president in US history.
Channel the civil rights leaders in the past: As awful as things are, we should acknowledge that many leaders in the past have faced equally if not significantly more arduous challenges in the past. They kept going and accomplished many great things despite horrendous odds. Let’s summon their strength and courage.
Leaders, cut your teams some slack: If you have some positional power, use it to help your team out. Create policies for sabbaticals, paid family leave, mental health days, staff bonuses, and so on. Give people days off; I know some organizations are closing (or closing early) during Fridays in the summer. Set good examples by taking breaks yourself.
Mind the Gramsci Gap: As I mentioned earlier, Antonio Gramsci spoke of a time when the old world is dying an a new world being born, and the chaos and pain that causes. We are in an awful time for humankind, but I am hopeful that it is because a better world is emerging. It may take a while and be painful, but ultimately something good will come from all this, as we have seen from other awful periods in history throughout the world. Let’s have faith, especially when things are toughest.
Put other tips you have in the comment section.
I’m ending with this poem by Ada Limón, which comes to mind as I walked around Tokyo and encountered cherry blossom trees. I’m sad to have missed seeing them in full bloom a couple of months ago, but there is a certain beauty and symbolism in the lush green leaves, and a good lesson for all of us during these times:
Instructions on Not Giving Up
More than the fuchsia funnels breaking out
of the crabapple tree, more than the neighbor’s
almost obscene display of cherry limbs shoving
their cotton candy-colored blossoms to the slate
sky of Spring rains, it’s the greening of the trees
that really gets to me. When all the shock of white
and taffy, the world’s baubles and trinkets, leave
the pavement strewn with the confetti of aftermath,
the leaves come. Patient, plodding, a green skin
growing over whatever winter did to us, a return
to the strange idea of continuous living despite
the mess of us, the hurt, the empty. Fine then,
I’ll take it, the tree seems to say, a new slick leaf
unfurling like a fist to an open palm, I’ll take it all.
Take care everyone. See you in a few weeks!
